Sacred Royal Catholic Majesty:
In conformity with certain requirements of the visitor of the
Augustinian order in these islands, we, the Recollect religious
of the same order, have all rendered obedience to the father in
their rule of life in this country. We are obeying very exactly the
orders that you, Sire, have given, although we have received signal
annoyance thereby, as we think they will prove in every way a great
hindrance to our mode of life and its tranquillity. Especially do
we believe--and it is beyond doubt true--that if we are forced to
continue the same obedience, it will mean not only a cessation of
the forward movement of this special work, but the extinction of us
all therein; for we have in no way been guilty of any fault whereby
we have merited such a penalty, as this action, under this form,
must be considered. This will be shown by the evidence, for some of
us religious, who came to these so remote regions from that country
[Spain] by order of your Highness, have died; and although others
have taken the habit, this is not a country where the orders can be
preserved by that method alone, without the reenforcement of those
who can come from those kingdoms to help in this work. If we are
kept subject to the rule, we shall lose this refuge, and we are on
the direct road to ruin without attaining that fruit through special
desire of which we felt ourselves forced to leave our native land and
the association of our brother religious in our so prompt response
to the order of your Highness. Since our mode of living has been,
and is, regulated by the care that we owe to our obligations, and is
an example and to the edification of the town--and this it public
and well-known--to say nothing of our established rules and rigor;
since this city and kingdom hold us in pious and especial affection;
and since, in the service of your Highness we are laboring for the
conversion and administration of a mission-field in a toilsome post,
and one without any temporal consolation, and through not having
the proper number of religious for another mission (namely, three)
we left the latter, as well as many others to which attention should
be given, and which have been offered to us and are offered daily,
but which we have not accepted for the above reasons: we believe
that we can supplicate your Highness with proper confidence--as we
do supplicate you--in the submissive spirit of faithful vassals and
the humility of poor religious, to be pleased to favor this so pious
cause, and one so to the service of our Lord. We ask, Sire, that you
will cause some Recollect religious to be sent from those kingdoms,
so that with an increased number we may also increase in courage; for
all must result in an increase of the service of the two majesties. We
do not intend by this, in fundamentals to withdraw ourselves from the
obedience that we have been ordered to give to the rule, but only to
preserve our established laws, and to attend with greater leisure and
assiduity to our obligations. The clemency of your Highness will be
very necessary to encourage this work, as has been done hitherto in
everything offered us. Hence we again supplicate it with the urgency
demanded by the importance of the matter.
When we came to these regions, your Highness was pleased to grant us
the alms of wine and oil for the space of six years, as you did to the
other orders. Inasmuch as--although, in accordance with your orders,
the alms have been granted us hitherto--the limit assigned by your
Highness will soon expire, we humbly beseech your Highness to be
pleased to have the said alms provided, as to the other religious
orders, and also the support for the religious of this convent,
as may seem best to your Highness. We also beseech your Highness to
have medicines given us for our sick, as to the other convents. Will
your Highness grant us this with your accustomed piety; since we are
as poor as the other convents, and are occupied in the same ministry.
Don Juan de Silva, your governor, in your Highness's name granted us
a site, where we have a church and convent, with the proviso that we
secure your Highness's confirmation thereto within forty years. We
beseech you with all due humility to be pleased to grant us the said
confirmation. For that and for all the other matters contained in
this letter, our father master, Fray Pedro Solier, [17] provincial,
who has been living under our rules in these islands, is delegated with
our authority. In case of his death, we delegate our authority to the
prior or procurator of the Recollect convent in your capital. We shall
receive most singular favor in whatever action your Highness takes in
despatching our affairs with your most powerful hand. May God's favor
be ever with your Highness, and may He preserve and prosper you for
His greater service, and for the increase of our holy Catholic faith,
as we, the humble chaplains in this your Majesty's convent of Sant
Nicolas of the Recollects, desire. Manila, June the last, 1610.
_Fray Dionisio de la Anunciacion_, prior.
_Fray Andres del Spiritu Santo_
_Fray Francisco de la Madre de Dios_
_Frai Pedro de San Joseph_
[_Endorsed_: "Ascertain what the governor must have written in regard
to the site given them. When Fray Pedro de Solier comes, everything
will be examined."]